Remote control and autonomous lawn mowers have revolutionised how Australians manage their lawn care. Technological advancements have allowed you to maintain your garden with minimal effort, which is perfect for older users to continue caring for their beloved lawn even after injury or immobility. Both markets are growing substantially, with the robotic lawn mower market expected to grow by 5.75% each year.
Choosing between a remote-controlled lawn mower like the S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD or an autonomous one is more complicated than you may think. Our dedicated writing team has outlined the key differences between the two to help inform your decision.
Key Takeaways
- The core technology used in remote control and autonomous lawn mowers differs slightly, with remote control mowers relying on smart remote controllers and robot mowers using GPS navigation.
- Remote control lawn mowers cost between $1,000 to $5,000, while robot mowers are slightly more expensive at $1,500 up to $10,000.
- Remote control lawn mowers like the Mowrator S1 4WD are suited for challenging residential and commercial terrain.
What's the Difference Between Remote Control and Autonomous Mowers?
The main difference between remote control and autonomous lawnmowers is the core technology they use. Autonomous mowers use GPS and sensors to navigate your lawn, while remote control mowers need you to operate a remote control to run.
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| Performance |
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Core Technology
The core technology behind a remote control or robotic mower offers a look at its main purpose and advantages. Knowing what remote control and robotic mowers do best will help you decide which is right for you.
Remote Control Lawn Mowers
- Smart Remote Control: The core technology that separates remote control lawn mowers from robot and traditional mowers is the use of a remote control. You manually operate the mower using either a dedicated controller or a smartphone. While remote control mowers like the Mowrator S1 4WD require active use for mowing the yard, you'll find that it's a far quicker and more powerful mowing solution to your lawn care woes.
- Navigational Systems: Remote-controlled lawnmowers receive additional help from navigational systems. This lets them strike a balance between being easy to use and granting strict control over your lawn care.
Autonomous Robot Lawn Mowers
- Fully Autonomous: Autonomous robot lawnmowers don't require any physical input from you to complete their task. In fact, you don't even have to be present for many autonomous mowers while they mow your lawn. This is because the core technology behind robot mowers is a self-navigating system like boundary wires or wireless advanced GPS systems.
- Advanced GPS Systems: Modern robot lawnmowers can even position themselves accurately down to the last 2 to 3 centimetres with satellite navigation. In practice, however, it's not uncommon for robot lawnmowers to get stuck on uneven terrain or wander outside their boundaries if your wires are improperly set up.
Safety Features
Safety features are essential when using autonomous and remote-controlled mowers to prevent accidents and injuries. Not only do safety features stop you from getting hurt while mowing your lawn, they also stop accidents with your pets and wild animals that occasionally visit your lawn.
Remote Control Lawn Mowers
- Ultrasonic Sensors: Ultrasonic sensors allow remote-controlled lawn mowers to instantly override your controls to protect the safety of animals and people, as well as the structural integrity of the RC lawn mower.
- Emergency Buttons: Some remote control lawnmowers come with additional safety features in the form of an emergency button — one on the mower and one on the controller — to immediately stop the blades when something unexpected happens.
- Low Centre of Gravity: Tipping your remote-controlled lawn mower at speeds above 3 Mph can cause damage to its structure, which is why many modern RC mowers have a low centre of gravity to stop precisely that.
Autonomous Robot Lawn Mowers
- Anti-Theft Sensors: Many high-end robot vacuums and lawnmowers come with anti-theft sensors that let you know if your mower has been stolen while you're not present.
- Collision Detection: Like remote-controlled lawn mowers, autonomous lawn mowers also offer collision sensors that prevent damage or injury while autonomously mowing your lawn. These range from path avoidance that skirts around the obstacle to models that stop automatically.
- Automatic Blade Shut-off: Certain robotics will shut off entirely if the lawn mower is lifted or tilted. This prevents you from injuring yourself while completing emergency adjustments while the autonomous mower is on.
Performance
Performance is one of the most relevant indicators of which type of lawn mower you should invest in. This includes how these lawnmowers handle thick grass, battery life, and overall efficiency.
Remote Control Lawn Mowers
- Dense Vegetation: Remote control lawn mowers offer more power than autonomous mowers, which allows you to manage thick grass, shrubbery, and vegetation far more quickly.
- High Power and Speed: Models like the Mowrator S1 4WD offer superior speed and power five times faster than most intelligent mowers on the market today. Its Beast™ motor also generates up to 1600W of power, with all-wheel drive to boot that can handle slopes up to 75%.
Autonomous Robot Lawn Mowers
- Continuous Work: The main performance perk of autonomous is that their programmed allows them to work continuously without needing your input. Their ability to work independently enables the robot lawnmower's elevated performance, even if their ability to handle rugged terrain leaves something to be desired.
- Set Patterns: Once you've set up the autonomous lawn mower, it will mow your lawn in precise set patterns outlined by you. This ensures that your lawn care's cut quality is consistent throughout and gives the most aesthetic look to your yard.
Cost
Aside from performance, cost is the most relevant factor when deciding between a remote-operated lawnmower and an autonomous lawnmower. Below are the main differences in costs between remote and autonomous lawnmowers.
Remote Control Lawn Mowers
You'll find that remote control mowers are often more affordable than fully autonomous mowers. They cost around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the type of model you pick and the features it offers. Notably, maintenance and labour costs associated with using an RC lawn mower are not included in the price tag for remote control lawn mowers.
Autonomous Robot Lawn Mowers
Autonomous robot mowers have a high initial cost, with low maintenance and labour costs after purchase. A robot lawn mower may set you back around $1,500 to $10,000 depending on the model, with advanced features like weather sensors, automatic charging, and mobile app control increasing the price.
Applications
Not all lawn maintenance is the same, and these lawnmowers work best for certain commercial and residential properties. Let's look at the various applications for which remote control mowers and autonomous are used.
Remote Control Lawn Mowers
Remote control lawn mowers work for several residential and commercial operations but excel at landscaping, municipal grounds keeping, and any challenging landscape you may come across. Plus, you can mow from a distance using a remote-controlled lawn mower to avoid the hot sun during summer.
Autonomous Robot Lawn Mowers
Autonomous mowers are also excellent for a variety of commercial and residential lawns. Many robot mowers work best when used frequently, which makes them suitable for golf courses, residential lawns, and other commercial properties.
Mowrator offers remote-controlled lawn mowers for your lawn care needs, boasting innovative technology and a robust battery capacity. Browse our range of smart remote control mowers today.
Remote Control Lawn Mower vs Autonomous Robot Lawn Mower FAQs
What are the disadvantages of a robotic lawn mower?
The main disadvantages of robotic lawn mowers include their limited performance, initial set-up time, high cost, and occasional operational challenges. There are also various safety concerns, as a radio-controlled lawn mower is a high-value technology.
Can remote control mowers cut long grass?
Yes, remote-controlled mowers are excellent at cutting long grass. Models like Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD can mow up to 21-inch grass without breaking a sweat.
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